An Exciting New Year in Children’s Ministry
An Exciting New Year in Children’s Ministry
Caroline Johnson and Catherine Powell are looking forward to welcoming nursery, preschool, and elementary school children this fall with a new program. They’ll have fun at Homecoming on August 25 and start Sunday School after Labor Day, September 8. See Stephanie Rieman’s article about ministry with Middle School and High School students – we’re all excited about the coming year!
For the first part of the year we will begin each session with all the children together. This includes the nursery, preschool and elementary school children. After they hear about the theme of the day, they will separate into smaller groups for crafts and activities. We need adults who can volunteer for one or two Sundays during the semester. All volunteers will need to do is show up and watch over a small group of kids as they do a craft. If you could be one of these lovely volunteers, please let Caroline know by emailing her at [email protected].
After Christmas we hope to begin the Atrium program, a different and proven approach to Sunday School. We will create a calm, welcoming space in which children can settle to listen to brief presentations and then move about freely to work with hands-on materials. The program is designed to help children develop their inner life with God. It really nourishes their spirits, introducing them to a loving Good Shepherd, showing them how to access peace and build community, while offering brief lessons from the Bible and worship.
An exciting thing about this approach is that the adults who lead it love it. Because its content comes from simple items and lessons, and because its hands-on materials naturally attract children, it frees the teachers from the burden of knowing everything— and being a manager and entertainer on top of that! It helps the adults find the same peace and inner connection with God that is offered to the children.
Watch for information about how you can learn more about it in the fall. We invite everyone to learn more: parents, grandparents, and anyone who wants to deepen their spiritual life and learn more about the lifelong process of faith development.
